Brake Operation; Tires; Blade Care; Blade Removal - Craftsman 917.252451 Owner's Manual

CUSTOI RESPONSUBULIT ES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted.
(See 'qO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust-
merits section of this manual),
TIRES
. Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual).
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-
cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other hazards that may cause tire damage.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp Re-
place bent or damaged btades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 10)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades.
Remove hex bolt, lock washer and fiat washer secu ring
blade.
Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
° Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in
exact order as shown.
• Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft, Lbs, torque),
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED,
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE MANDREL
TRAILING EDGE
FLAT WASHER, _ I
LOCKWAS.EB !
HEX BOLT, __
(GBADES)
• A GBADE 8.EATTR TED OO T OAN OE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG, 10
TO SHARPEN BLADE
(See Fig. 11)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balance& An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even-
tual damage to mower and engine.
° The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower,,
• To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer, (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
ancer),,
o Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt
or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground.
If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position If either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced,
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade_ The lobes of
the center hole may appear to be centered, but are noL
CENTERHOLE
BLADE
5/8" BOLT
OR PIN /
FIG. 11
15